In a major breakthrough for Indian law enforcement, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has successfully secured the extradition of Monika Kapoor, a key accused in a high-profile import-export fraud case from the early 2000s. Kapoor had been absconding for over 23 years and was declared a Proclaimed Offender in 2006. The extradition was completed on July 9, 2025, with CBI officials personally escorting her from the United States to India.

This marks a significant step in India’s ongoing effort to bring back economic offenders hiding abroad and hold them accountable under the Indian judicial system.

Who Is Monika Kapoor?

Monika Kapoor is a Delhi-based businesswoman and the former proprietor of Monika Overseas, a firm once engaged in the import and export business. She became the prime accused in a massive gold import fraud case, dating back to the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Along with her two brothers, Rajan Khanna and Rajeev Khanna, Monika Kapoor allegedly created forged export documents to illegally obtain Replenishment Licenses used to import duty-free gold.

The Import-Export Fraud Explained

According to CBI investigations, the Kapoor siblings were involved in an elaborate scheme involving:

• Fake export invoices

• Falsified shipping bills

• Forged bank certificates

Using these fraudulent documents, they obtained six Replenishment Licenses in 1998 from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). These licenses allowed them to import duty-free gold worth ₹2.36 crore.

Instead of utilizing the licenses for legitimate business, they were sold at a premium to an Ahmedabad-based company named Deep Exports. Deep Exports used the licenses to import gold, thereby evading customs duties and causing a loss of ₹1.44 crore to the Indian government.

Legal Action and Chargesheet

After years of investigation, the CBI filed a chargesheet on March 31, 2004, under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including:

• 120-B (Criminal Conspiracy)

• 420 (Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property)

• 467 (Forgery of valuable security)

• 468 (Forgery for purpose of cheating)

• 471 (Using as genuine a forged document)

While Rajan and Rajeev Khanna were convicted by Delhi’s Saket Court on December 20, 2017, Monika Kapoor remained absconding throughout the investigation and trial.

Declared a Proclaimed Offender & Red Corner Notice

Given her refusal to cooperate with legal proceedings and her disappearance from the country, Monika Kapoor was declared a Proclaimed Offender by the court on February 13, 2006.

In 2010, a Red Corner Notice (RCN) was issued against her via Interpol, marking her as a wanted international fugitive. This step was crucial in tracking her movements abroad and initiating formal extradition procedures.

Extradition from the United States

In 2010, the CBI formally requested the extradition of Monika Kapoor from the United States, where she had taken refuge. The extradition process involved:

• Complex legal proceedings in US courts

• Inter-agency coordination between the CBI and US Department of Justice

• Sustained diplomatic efforts via the Ministry of External Affairs

After 15 years of continuous follow-up, the U.S. authorities approved the extradition. A team of CBI officials traveled to the U.S., took custody of Kapoor, and returned with her to India on July 9, 2025.

What Happens Next?

Now that Monika Kapoor has been brought back to India, she will be produced before the competent Indian court, where she will face trial for her role in the import-export fraud. The case, though old, still holds legal validity under Indian law and will proceed as per due process.

The CBI has confirmed that Kapoor’s arrest and extradition send a strong message to other fugitives attempting to evade justice by fleeing the country.

Why This Case Matters

The Monika Kapoor extradition case highlights several important issues:

1. India’s commitment to pursuing economic offenders globally

2. The importance of bilateral cooperation between countries for law enforcement

3. The growing use of extradition treaties and Interpol mechanisms to bring back white-collar criminals

4. The need to modernize trade documentation to prevent such frauds in the future

CBI’s Official Statement (Awaited)

As of now, the CBI has not issued a full public statement, but sources close to the agency confirm that Monika Kapoor will be presented in court within 48 hours of her arrival. Further legal proceedings will be initiated as per the court’s directives.

This case is expected to set a precedent for other pending extradition cases, including those of economic fugitives like Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi, and Vijay Mallya.

Related Legal Cases

This is not the first time that Indian investigative agencies have pursued long-term fugitives. In recent years, India has intensified its global manhunt for economic offenders, backed by a dedicated Fugitive Economic Offenders Act (FEOA) and aggressive diplomatic negotiations.

The return of Monika Kapoor after more than two decades of evading Indian law is not just a legal win—it’s a symbolic victory for India’s fight against economic crime and a warning to future offenders.

Her upcoming trial will determine the extent of her culpability, but her extradition itself is a testament to India’s growing influence in international legal cooperation.